The Apple (Pay) of My Eye

The following grocery stores in my neck of the woods offer NFC Apple Pay which I have used. There is only one store really understands and makes NFC mobile payment works. That is Sprouts. The others on the list are just so-so when it comes to setting up NFC terminals for Apple Pay.

In all of these stores, I like using the Apple Watch instead of the iPhone 6s. The former is much more convenient and requires no iPhone nor its Touch ID to initiate a payment.


Best of all of the Apple Pay NFC stores in town:

- Sprouts

Sprouts has the best Apple Pay setup. Once the clerk starts scanning the items, the Apple Pay NFC is ready to accept payment. I just place my Apple Watch over the NFC, and its done reading it. All I have to do is wait for the clerk to finish scanning and bagging the purchased items. Very nice.


First Place:

- Best Buy

Forget MCX. Best Buy has decided it's best all around to accept Apple Pay. No need to press "Yes" on the NFC unit to authorize credit card payment


Second Place:

- Whole Food

Once the cashier starts to scan the purchase item, Apple Pay is ready at the NFC unit. But the NFC still requires
the pressing of the "Yes" button on the screen to complete the transaction


Third Place:

- Trader Joe's

The clerk needs to finish scanning all of the purchase items, then he has to press a key on the register to authorize Apple Pay. After placing my Apple Watch over the NFC, I must tap the terminal for "Yes" to approve the purchase.


Tied for 4th Place:


These two merchants have very awkward Apple Pay NFC systems.

- Save Mart

- Walgreens


Promises Promises:

- Home Depot

It never got its act together or it reneged on providing Apple Pay.


Unknown:

- Lowe's

Nada. No Apple Pay. It decided to stick with PayPal.


Note: Other service providers in town (e.g. Apple Store, health care providers)are known to have Apple Pay which I have used. Their particulars are not included in this post.